Arctic Submersible Rig

Definition - What does Arctic Submersible Rig mean?

Arctic Submersible Rig is a nautical vessel that is used in the arctic region and regions where ice is formed on top of water. The vessel is floated to a mobile location to perform offshore drilling activities. A submersible drilling rig, also known as a mobile offshore drilling unit is vessel which is primarily used as a mobile drilling structure. This type of drilling rig is established with the help of structures similar to pontoon that descend below the sea surface. It is often referred as a submersible in the sea.

Petropedia explains Arctic Submersible Rig

Drilling is an important process in the extraction of oil and gas as it leads to the access of an oil reservoir. Without carrying out the drilling process, oil and gas cannot be extracted from an oil reservoir. To assist the drilling process, a drilling rig is setup. When offshore drilling activities are carried out in the sea where ice is formed, an arctic submersible drilling rig which is similar to submersible drilling rig is installed.

Being a maritime vessel, a submersible drilling rig can be easily floated to any location in the sea and descended to the seafloor using pontoon-like structures. The floating design as well as the availability of the pontoon-like structures provides mobility to the rig. Due to the fact that a submersible drilling rig rests on the seafloor while performing offshore drilling activities, it must operate on relatively shallow water.